Developer for automatically operated photographic device



I Dec. 9, 1969 M. BALKE 3,482,502

DEVELOPER FOR AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVICE Filed June 17, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F IG 2 v INVENTOR. MART/N BAZ/(E States Patent 8,612/ 65 Int. Cl. G03d 3/12, 3/02; G03b 17/50 US. CI. 95-94 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An automatic photographic device includes a developer formed by a body member having a plurality of liquid developer bath cavities arranged in a row and separated by a partition wall therebetween. Film strips to be developed are successively brought through each of the cavities by guide elements which include spaced wire members which extend between adjacent pairs of vertically arranged rotatable rollers disposed over each partition wall. The wire guide extends downwardly into the adjacent cavity and receives the film from the nip of one of the roller sets at the one end of the cavity and delivers it into the developer bath and into the nip of the other set of rollers at the other end of the cavity and so on through a series of cavities until the film strip is developed. The developer liquid is distributed to a plurality of cavities of relatively shallow depth and only in a quantity which is sufficient for operation of a certain period of time. The main quantity of the developer is maintained in a storage tank which isc losed so that it will not permit any deleterious operation of the oxygen of the air on the developer liquid. The liquid is supplied from the storage tank through the developer cavities only in quantity suificient for the desired operation, so that the developer liquid will last for a very long period of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates, in general, to photographic equipment and, in particular, to a new and useful automatic self-actuated photographic equipment having a developer with a tray formed with a plurality of adjacent developer cavities having means for supplying fresh developer and with guide means extending between the cavities and roller means for feeding the film strip therethrough.

The present invention has particular application for use, for example, in a coin actuated self-photographic apparatus of the type in which the person sits before a camera and deposits a coin and then waits for the finished developed print. The automatic mechanism includes a camera, means for transporting the film to the camera and thereafter to a cutting device for separating the exposed film frame, and a developer with means for transporting the film strip through the developer toward the picture delivery station. Such automatic photographic apparatus are known which operate with the customary wet developing processes and use reversible film material on paper. By inserting a coin or actuating a key release mechanism, the camera is actuated. In this manner, the light sensitive film material is exposed. The exposed film strip is then transported through the cutting device into the developer. The film material is first separated from the non-exposed film material which is supplied to the camera from a supply roll within the device. The film material or print paper is then developed. The developed strip or frame reaches the 3,482,502 Patented Dec. 9, 1969 picture delivery station where the picture is taken from the device.

Known developers through which the exposed film strip is passed possess relatively large liquid containers with a multitude of deflecting rollers over which the film strip to be developed is guided in a loop-like manner. Such containers usually contain the entire supply of the developer in a single compartment. Because of the use of a single large compartment, the entire volume of the developer bath has to be relatively large and has to participate in the developing procedure so that a rapid degeneration of the developing substance takes place. With such apparatus, the developer breaks down after a few developing runs. Attempts have been made to prevent this by replacing the developing bath after a relatively brief time interval. This, of course, is not only expensive but also time consuming and results in relatively frequent interruptions of the operation of the device while a developing material is being changed. In order to prevent these disadvantages, it has been proposed to spray the film strip which is to be developed in each instance with the required amount of developer. In such instances, the developer is taken from a reservoir. In this manner, the developer liquid can be saved. However, it has been shown that the developing process does not take place with the same quality as with the customary processes wherein the film strip passes through an entire bath. In addition, such spraying devices require nozzles and spraying mechanisms which, of course, require complicated apparatus which, in turn, may result in frequent break down of the machine.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an automatic photographic apparatus which includes a developer comprising a tray member having a plurality of cavities arranged side-by-side in a row and which includes guide means for directing the film downwardly into each cavity in succession as it passes through the developer for achieving successive developing stages in each of the cavities. The apparatus advantageously includes rollers mounted between the stage for receiving the print paper and for moving it through the developing a solution in the next cavity. In this manner, the developing solution strength may be varied from one tray to the next, if desired, and the individual cavities only hold a small amount of developer so that the developer does not loose its strength rapidly. The developing device advantageously includes means for periodically replacing the charges in the individual containers at predetermined timed intervals.

In the preferred arrangement, the liquid in the individual cavities is recycled into large containers and mixed with a liquid to control the developing strength thereof. In this manner, the individual charge cavities are regenerated and can be maintained at an advantageous low temperature. In some instances, it is preferable to heat the individual charges for the cavities immediately prior to their insertion into the associated cavity. By controlling the temperature of the developer, the consumption of the bath liquid may be kept very low and moreover the quality of the developing procedure and thus the pictures produced will remain uniformly good throughout the use of the device.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide in an automatic picture taking apparatus an improved developer for the photographic print paper which includes a container forming a plurality of successive cavities arranged in a row with guide means for directing the print material downwardly into each cavity in suc- 3 cession for successive developing of the print material and with means for separately supplying and withdrawing developer fluid for each cavity.

A further object of the invention is to provide a developer including a container having a lower portion with a plurality of cavities arranged in a row and with roller means disposed between each cavity for directing material to be developed downwardly through guides which transport the material through the cavity and upwardly to the next set of rollers for successive treatment in each cavity.

A further object of the invention is to provide a developer device which is simple in design, rugged in construction and economical to manufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an automatic photographic device constructed in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a developer constructed in accordance with the invention.

Referring to the drawings, in FIG. 1, the automatic photographic device includes a container 1 for accommodating a film supply spool for the film material which is fed from the spool to an edge exposure device 2 which is arranged in front of a camera 3. A flash device 4 is arranged over a person to be photographed and operates to provide sufficient light on the person during the actuation of the camera 3. The automatic mechanism further includes an electrically actuable cutting device 5 which cuts the film material into the selected number of frames and delivers the material to a developer generally designated 6. An electronic control device 8 is employed for operating the various mechanisms and insuring that the pictures are advanced below the camera 3 and then cut and delivered to the developer for delivery to the slot in the machine at a delivery point 9. A storage tank 7 for the developing material is provided for recirculating developer to the developing device 6 as required.

The improved developer is indicatet in FIG. 2 and includes a lower housing portion or cavity forming member 10 having a lid 11 which completely closes the top thereof. The lid 11 closes all sides of the dish body 10 tightly and advantageously comprises transparent acrylic glass. In some instances, it is advantageous to form the body 10 and the lid 11 of a hollow body which is laterally closed or closed at an end by a closure wall.

In accordance with a feature of the invention, the body member 10 is provided with a plurality of developer cavities or recesses 13 which are defined therein along a row. The cavities are closed at each side and separated from each other by curved walls upon which are mounted rollers 14 and 15. The rollers 14 and 15 are provided for delivering the film material through each of the developing cavities 13 and are arranged with their axes parallel and have a minimum spacing from each other. They are advantageously driven by drive means (not shown) and provide means for transporting the strip of film material downwardly into each cavity between guide members or rail elements 16 and 17. One of the rollers, preferably the upper roller 14, is driven and the other, the lower roller 15, may be freely rotatable.

The film strips which reach one end of the developer 6 are delivered through a slot (not shown) at the inlet end of the cover 11 between the end set of rollers 14 and 15 which are rotated to deliver the strip with the film facing downwardly into the developer bath of the first cavity 13. By making only the upper roller 14 a driven roller there is no chance that the driven roller will damage the film material by frictional driving contact. The upper rollers 14 are advantageously made with a rigid metal core and an outer relatively soft frictional layer which may, for example, be of a rubber material. The lower rollers 15 carry on their axis a relatively soft layer, for example, of rubber which is embraced or enveloped by a hard jacket in order to create a very friction-free smooth and pore-free surface.

The wire stirrups or guides 16 and 17 are arranged between each roller set and extend downwardly into the cavity 13 therebetween. Each set of stirrups 16 and 17 includes two parallel arms extending downwardly in the same manner and provide a guide therebetween for the film material. The configuration of the guides 16 and 17 is chosen such that the film strip which is passed through the roller pair 14 and 15 will be transported in the form of an almost loose downwardly hanging loop through the individual cavities. In this manner, the film will pass between these guides 16 and 17 with as little friction as possible. The mounting of the guides 16 and 17 is preferably accomplished by means of holding means which are fixed to the side walls not shown) of the body member 10 and which close the cavities 13 laterally.

In accordance with a feature of the invention, each charge container or cavity 13 is in communication with an associated storage container 18 for the developing fluid by means of an inlet conduit 20 and a return conduit 22. A pump (not shown) is connected in either the inlet con duit 20 or return conduit 22 to circulate the developer from the cavity 13 back to the storage container 18, and from the container 18 to the cavity. A heating device 19 is located in the inlet conduit 20 and provides means for heating the developer to a desired temperature before it is delivered into the associated cavities. The storage container 18 is maintained tightly closed and has a temperature, for example, cool enough so that the liquid stored in the container cannot escape by evaporation nor will it prematurely age by unfavorable influence caused by oxygen in the air.

The developer operation is monitored or controlled by the electronic control device 8 and operates as follows: After the start impulse has been actuated or released, for example, by inserting a coin into the machine, the flash device 4 is actuated and the exposure of the film strip takes place. The film strip is delivered from a supply roll 1 to the exposure device 2 and into the camera 3. Dependent on the number of desired exposures and during further transportation of the exposed film away from the camera, the cutting of the respective film strip takes place by the cutting device 5. Subsequently, the severed film is moved through the developer 6 and is engaged by the first roller pairs 14 and 15. The film strip is then successively guided through the cavities 13 between the guide means 16 and 17 and fed to the next set of rollers 14 and 15 etc. The rollers between the baths insure that the film strip which emerges from a bath will be cleaned of residual liquid which will be squeezed off by the rollers so that there will be no undesired transfer of liquid from one cavity to the other.

The control device 8 is of well known type and provides means for actuating the pump to insure that after a predetermined time, the individual charges in the cavities 13 are replaced. In doing so, the liquid level in the cavities 13 must be lowered only to the extent that the film strips which pass through the cavities 13 will remain immersed in the residual liquid therein. In this manner, the formation of undesirable marks or spots on the film is effectively prevented. At the same time, a fresh charge may be directed from the storage container through the heater 19 and the inlet conduit 20. The cavities 13 are filled to a level slightly below the top of the intermediate partition walls as indicated at y in FIG. 2 so that an overfiow of liquid over the intermediate walls 12 will not be possible. In order to obtain a uniform supply of fresh charge and particularly uniform spreading of the temperature over the entire width of the film, the liquid supply is advantageously added in the region of a vertically longitudinal center plane in the cavity 13. The developed film will be delivered out of the developer 6 at the delivery station 9.

The control device 8 regulates not only the high voltage device of the flash mechanism 4 and the heating of the developer in the heater 19, but also controls, for example, such as by electromagnetic actuators, the transport means for the film, the edge exposure device 2 and the camera 3 as well as the change of the individual charges of developer in the developing element 6. The control device 8 may be of well known type and con structed in such a manner that it monitors itself after the starting pulse has been given and until the finished photograph has been developed. By this arrangement, in case of a brief current interruption, the functions of the automatic device will be maintained. If due to any disturbance no film strip should be delivered, then the control device blocks the entire machine in such a manner that until the temperature has been repaired, no further start impulses can be given. This, for example, may be done by blocking the insertion of additional coins thereby preventing the giving off of a starting pulse.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. A developer for individual lengths of exposed film strips in an automatic photographic device comprising a body member defining a plurality of liquid developer bath cavities being arranged to contain a supply of liquid developer forming a liquid level therein and being disposed in side-by-side relationship, a lid for said body forming a closure over said cavities therein, a vertically positioned partition wall disposed between and separating each of the adjacent said cavities, the surface of said cavities extending between said partition walls having an arcuate concave configuration, and the level of the developer liquid within said cavities being located below the upper end of said partition walls, means for guiding the film strips successively through each of the cavities including a number of pairs of rollers each comprising an upper roller and a lower roller forming a nip arranged to receive and feed the film strip therebetween and to effect a squeezing action on the film strip and at least two horizontally spaced pairs of wire stirrups for guiding the exposed film strip through said cavities from the nip of one of said pair of rollers to the nip of the next successive pair of rollers, each of said rollers being rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis which is located above and in a substantially vertical plane including one of said partition walls, in each said pair of rollers one of said rollers being driven and the other said roller being freely rotatable, the driven roller comprised of a rigid core and an outer relatively soft frictional layer and the freely rotatable roller formed of a relatively soft interior layer enveloped by a hard exterior surface layer to afford a friction-free surface, each said pair of Wire stirrups comprising a lower stirrup vertically spaced below and arranged in substantially parallel relationship with an upper stirrup, said lower stirrup being disposed in spaced relationship above the arcuate surface of said cavity, each said stirrup having a generally V-shaped configuration with a rounded apex extending downwardly from its ends adjacent the nips of said rollers to a point located substantially equidistantly spaced from said partition walls, each of said cavities being of a size to contain only a fraction of the developer liquid necessary for a predetermined period of operation, a developer storage means associated with each said cavity for storing the main portion of the developer liquid required for the predetermined period of operation and for supplying developer liquid to its associated said cavity to maintain a predetermined level of developer liquid within said cavity and for periodically changing the developer liquid in each said cavity, and a heating device associated with said developer storage means for heating the developer liquid to a desired temperature before it is supplied into said cavities.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,553,014 5/1951 Singer 14 3,023,686 3/1962 Meyer 94 3,242,843 3/1966 Tillotson et al. 9589 3,254,970 8/1966 Hersh et al. 9594 3,285,150 11/1966 Wunderle 9514 3,330,189 7/1967 Vil 9589 NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner RICHARD L. MOSES, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 9514, 97 

